Download Cardiolite Stress Test

Important
• Wear a two-piece outfit and shoes that
are comfortable for walking
• Do not wear pantyhose
• Do not use lotion
Your doctor ordered:
_____ One day test
_____ Two day test
_____ Exercise Cardiolite
_____ Pharmacological (medicine) Cardiolite
Ordering Dr.____________________________
Day 1 Date:____________Time____________
Day 2 Date:____________Time____________
Before your test:
Medicine Instructions (to be completed by
ordering physician or his/her nurse)
Is there any risk from
the radiation?
The Cardiolite administered during this
exam contains a small amount of radiation,
comparable to that from an X-ray or CAT
(CT) scan. If you are pregnant, suspect you
may be, or are a nursing mother, discuss
this with your doctor before undergoing
the procedure.
Cardiolite
Stress Test
Note: If you go to certain public places
like airports, you may set off radiation
detectors that are in place for security
purposes. The amount of your radiation
poses no danger to the public and is
allowed by the medical use regulation
of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC). This radiation will be out of your
system in 2-3 days
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
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Do not eat for two hours before the test.
Please read this brochure completely
and call us if you have any questions or
concerns prior to your test.
Cardiology Department • Upper Level • East Campus
1000 Langworthy • Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 584-3425 • 1-800-648-6868 ext. 3425
0609107
Cardiology Department • Upper Level • East Campus
1000 Langworthy • Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 584-3425 • 1-800-648-6868 ext. 3425
How Cardiolite
Stress Testing Works
Pharmacological
(Medication) Cardiolite Test
This is a type of nuclear scanning or
myocardial perfusion imaging test. It shows
how well blood flows to the heart muscle. It
is done with an exercise or medicine stress
test. A small amount of radioactive substance
called cardiolite is injected into the vein. The
cardiolite mixes with the bloodstream and the
heart’s arteries. If a part of the heart muscle
does not receive a normal blood supply, less
than normal amounts of cardiolite will be seen
in that part of the heart muscle. Two images
are taken of the heart muscle for this test.
These are done 2-3 hours apart. One image is
taken at rest; the other image is taken after the
heart is stressed.
If you have a medical condition that prevents
you from walking on the treadmill, your doctor
will order a pharmacological (medication)
cardiolite test. You will lie on an examination
table. Medication will be given through your
IV to increase blood flow to the heart and thus
“mimic” an exercise test. The staff conducting the
study will be monitoring you and your heart rate
and blood pressure regularly during the study.
Exercise Cardiolite Test
If your doctor has ordered an exercise
cardiolite test, you will be asked to walk on
a treadmill until you reach your perceived
peak workload and/or your age-predicted
target heart rate. The staff conducting the
study will be assessing you and your heart
rate and blood pressure regularly during
exercise.
Instructions before the test:
• Do not eat or drink two hours before the
scheduled arrival time.
• NO caffeinated or decaffeinated products for
24 hours prior to the test. You may have water,
white milk or fruit juice.
• Take your medications as directed by your
doctor ordering the test (see instructions on
reverse page of this pamphlet).
• Bring a light snack with you to your
appointment. (ie: cereal bar, yogurt, juice, etc.)
• If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, take
your insulin as directed by your doctor for the
day of the test (see instructions on reverse page
of this pamphlet).
Medications containing theophylline (i.e.
uniphyl, theolayer or theophylline) must be
held 48 hours prior to a medication study using
adenosine.
What happens
during the test
1 day test will be 3-4 hours
2 day test will be 11/2 -2 hours each day
1. An IV line will be placed in your hand
or arm.
2. An injection of a radioactive tracer will be
given while you are at rest. You may then eat
a light snack.
3. Following a short wait, a special camera will
take pictures of your heart. This will last
about 15 minutes.
4. Several small pads called electrodes will be
placed on your chest. The pads are connected
to an electrocardio-graph (ECG) to monitor
your heart rhythm.
5. You may walk on the treadmill or be infused
with a drug that exercises your heart as if
you were on the treadmill, depending on
what your doctor has ordered for you. Even
if you receive a drug to stress your heart, it
may still be necessary to exercise minimally.
6. Another injection of a radioactive tracer will
be given through your IV while your heart is
at stress.
7. Following a short wait, the technologist will
scan your heart again. This scan will last
about 15 minutes.
8. You will NOT need someone to drive
you home.